$250K in Construction Mitigation Funds Secured for East Side Businesses

Politicians and East Side community organizations who helped with the initiative posed following a press conference on Bingo Oriental Market on Arcade and Case

ST. PAUL, MN — Small businesses along Arcade Street will soon receive critical financial relief, thanks to a $250,000 appropriation passed by the Minnesota Legislature’s Transportation Committee. The funds, championed by Senator Foung Hawj, Representative Liz Lee, Senator Scott Dibble, ESNDC, ESABA and the Payne-Phalen District Council are aimed at supporting the small business corridor hardest hit by ongoing construction.

Funds were formally announced on Thursday, June 26 at Bingo Oriental Market where community organizations like ESNDC and ESABA shared that they originally requested over 2 million dollars. What ended up getting approved was $250,000.

This comes after the project got off to a rough start when MNDot approved an early start to the project and extended road closures without notifying business owners.

The East Side Neighborhood Development Center is the named recipient of the funds, which will be distributed in $5,000 grants to eligible businesses. To qualify, businesses must have 25 or fewer employees and be located within 300 feet of the Arcade Street construction zone. Funds will be available beginning July 1.

“That day that I was presenting the bill... they closed Arcade prior to the scheduled time. So I suppose with that and my presentation it got the sympathies of the community members in the Transportation Committee” said Senator Foung Hawj adding that the investment acknowledges the critical role of small businesses in the local economy.

The initiative was included in HF14 — legislation focused on infrastructure and transportation — in direct response to the challenges voiced by East Side business owners during the roadwork period.

For more information on how to apply complete the intake form to determine your eligibility.